Variable Energy Tariff: Do We Recommend It?

What is a variable energy tariff?

A variable rate tariff is an energy plan where the unit rates for electricity or gas may rise and fall with the cost of wholesale energy. Variable energy tariffs are usually the supplier’s standard or default tariff, and broadly speaking these are the more expensive offerings. But that doesn’t mean that a variable energy tariff can’t be advantageous for your household.

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Virtually all energy suppliers offer at least one variable rate tariff. Indeed, Bulb’s Vari-Fair tariff is the only tariff that it offers to customers. However, most use their variable rate tariffs as their standard or default tariff. This is the tariff that customers are on when they are on a “deemed contract”. This happened when move into a new home where the energy supplier was chosen by the previous occupant, or when your fixed rate plan expires.

Conventional wisdom dictates that a variable rate tariff is always more expensive than its fixed rate counterpart. And while this is usually the case, especially if you’re with one of the “Big 6” energy suppliers whose variable rates are either at or just below the Energy Price Cap, it isn’t always so.

Some energy suppliers (again, like Bulb) make no profit on the energy unit rates. Their profits come exclusively from their daily standing charges. As such, when the cost of wholesale energy drops, this can result in great savings if you’re on a variable energy tariff. It’s just a case of finding the right tariff.

Is now a good time to get a variable tariff?

There are a number of reasons why now might be a good time to get a variable energy tariff. At the time of writing, wholesale energy prices are low. This is due to several factors, including plummeting crude oil prices due to significantly reduced demand since most of the world has been in lockdown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Another significant factor is that our renewable capacity has never been higher, making it cheaper than ever to create renewable lower from wind, solar, hydro and biomass (burning sustainably sourced wooden pellets instead of coal, oil or gas).

To add further confirmation that wholesale energy costs are low, in October 2020 Ofgem reduced the Energy Price Cap to £1,042 for both fuels. This is the lowest the cap has been since it was first introduced in January of 2019.

Be wary, however, a rise in energy prices could be on the horizon. A combination of COVID-related debt and the possibility of a No-Deal Brexit could have implications for the cost of wholesale energy.

That said, the beauty of a variable energy tariff is that you can switch at any time. Variable tariffs do not have a fixed rate, nor do they incur any exit fees. So you can enjoy a level of freedom that you won’t get on a fixed rate plan.

How often do variable energy rates change?

It’s important to note that while wholesale prices may rise and fall, your variable rates won’t necessarily always do the same. Like any commodity, wholesale energy costs are in a near constant state of flux, and suppliers track these costs on a daily basis. Suppliers usually only change their variable energy rates when there is a sustained shift in energy prices.

Octopus Energy is currently piloting a tracker tariff that keeps customers informed of the cost of wholesale energy via their mobile app. This allows customers to track the volatility of wholesale energy prices on a day-by-day basis. So you’re perfectly positioned to switch to a fixed energy plan if the future seems uncertain and you want to insulate yourself from the possibility of rising energy costs.

When will it impact my bill?

If you’re on a variable energy tariff, your supplier will have to give you reasonable notice when your energy rates change. Most suppliers will give you 30 days’ notice. Most energy switches take around 17 days to complete. So you have time to switch to a new tariff with the same supplier (or a brand new supplier) before your prices go up.

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Top 3 cheapest variable-rate energy tariffs in the UK

To give you an overview on how the prices can be, we offer you a list of the cheapest variable-rate energy tariffs in the UK.

The tariffs that we use to make the table below are variable rate tariffs of each energy supplier, with the cheapest plans based on their dual fuel tariffs. Variable tariffs these often are the default tariffs for their customers and our baseline for price comparisons.

Cheapest Dual Fuel Variable Rate Tariff

Supplier ™️	Tariff 🏷️	Tariff info 📋	Electricity costs💰	Gas costs 💰
	/ Availability: ❌	Standard Variable Green elec: ✔️	£ 649.88*	£ 479.51*
	/ Availability: ❌	$UK_NRJ_Partner_DF_SVT_type$ Green elec: ✖️	£ 1,778.80*	£ 2,190.74*
	/ Availability: ❌	Standard Variable Green elec: ✖️	£ 650.56*	£ 556.64*
	Standard Variable Availability: ❌	$UK_NRJ_2ndCheapest_DF_SVT_type$ Green elec: ✖️	£ 649.88*	£ 489.52*

Prices displayed are national averages
Based on 2,900.00 kWh of ⚡ and 12,000.00 kWh of 🔥 per year on average
A Green tariff means the supplier injects in the grid the same amount of renewable energy that is consumed.

Cheapest variable-rate electricity tariffs

For an electricity only standard variable-rate tariff, the list below is for you:

Cheapest Standard Variable Electricity Tariff

Supplier ™️	Tariff 🏷️	Tariff info 📋	Electricity costs💰
	/ Availability:❌	Standard Variable Green elec: ✔️	£ 649.88*
	/ Availability: ❌	Standard Variable Green elec: ✔️	£ 649.88*
	/ Availability: ❌	Standard Variable Green elec: ✖️	£ 692.24*
	/ Availability: ❌	Standard Variable Green elec: ✔️	£ 1,778.80*

Prices displayed are national averages
Based on Ofgem’s TDCV (2,900.00 kWh of ⚡ and 12,000.00 kWh of 🔥 per year).
A Green tariff means the supplier injects in the grid the same amount of renewable energy that is consumed.

Cheapest Standard Variable Gas Tariffs

The information for a gas only standard variable-rate tariff is in the table below:

Cheapest Standard Variable Gas Tariffs

Supplier	Name	Availability	Standing Charge	Unit Rate	Annual Cost	Exit Fee	Green Tariff**
	/	❌	23.84*	3.26*	£ 478.28*	£ 0.00	✖️
	/	❌	23.85*	3.27*	£ 479.51*	£ 0.00	✔️
	/	❌	26.59*	3.27*	£ 489.52*	£ 0.00	✖️
	/	❌	32.40*	17.27*	£ 2,190.74*	£ 0.00	✔️

Prices differ on a postcode basis, this table therefore displays national averages
Based on the official TDCV : 2,900.00 kWh of ⚡ and 12,000.00 kWh of 🔥 per year
A tariff is green if for each kWh consumed a kWh of renewable energy is injected in the grid.

Volatility of gas and electricity prices

Gas and electricity experience their share of market volatility. If you want to ensure that you’re always getting the best value for money on your variable rate tariff, it’s a good idea to check the volatility of wholesale gas and electricity prices. You can check this on Ofgem’s website. Slight month-by-month fluctuations are unlikely to affect your rates in any meaningful way.

However, if you notice that wholesale energy costs are trending upwards, this may be an indicator that prices are likely to change in the long-term and you should switch to a fixed rate tariff to insulate yourself from risk.

What are the benefits of variable rate energy tariffs?

Variable rate energy tariff are often painted as offering less value for money than their fixed rate equivalents. However, this isn’t necessarily the case, as there are dozens of variable rate energy plans to choose from. Some have a hefty markup incorporated into their unit rates (especially those that have no standing charges). Some have very little profit margin or none at all on their unit rates.

The right variable energy tariff can have some significant advantages including:

• Energy savings when the cost of wholesale energy drops
• The freedom to switch suppliers whenever you want with no exit fees
• Whenever your supplier increases your variable energy rates they have to provide you with fair notice (usually 30 days) so you have enough time to choose a better value energy plan from either the same supplier or a new one.

What are the disadvantages of a variable rate energy plan?

Of course, while a variable rate energy plan can have its advantages, it also has some caveats and potential disadvantages. You need to be aware of these in order to choose the best energy tariff for your home.

Disadvantages include:

• Rates are generally more expensive than fixed rate tariffs
• Rates can go up quite sharply if the cost of wholesale energy rises
• Suppliers may not necessarily pass on the savings to you if wholesale energy prices rise

Best variable energy tariffs on the market

Since virtually every energy supplier (with a few exceptions like Utility Point and So Energy) has at least one variable energy tariff on the market, you have a wealth of great options to choose from. However, some of our favourites at the time of writing include:

• Bulb: Vari-Fair
• Green Energy: Maple- Paperless
• Octopus Energy: Flexible Octopus

All of these offer some of the best variable rates on the market, along with 100% green energy. However, there are so many variables when it comes to choosing the best variable energy tariff for your needs. Rates can vary, depending on where you live, and your usage and priorities should be considered when choosing an energy deal.

We can scour the market for you to find the best variable energy deals on the market, including 100% renewable tariffs. So you can enjoy cheaper energy with the freedom to switch whenever you like. What’s more, we’ll even manage your switch for you from end-to-end. So you can enjoy a cheaper, greener and more flexible energy plan 100% hassle-free.

Would you like to know more about energy tariffs? Great! Read more in these related articles:

1. 1. Fixed or variable energy tariff
   2. Dual-fuel
   3. Economy 7
   4. Economy 10
   5. Prepayment meter
   6. Fixed energy tariffs

FAQ

What happens at the end of a variable tariff contract?

Variable energy tariffs are rolling contracts, and they don’t have an end date. That’s the beauty of a variable rate contract. While a fixed rate tariff might expire and see you lapse onto a more expensive tariff, a variable rate tariff is completely flexible, meaning that you can switch whenever you like. What’s more, when you’re on a variable energy tariff, your energy supplier has to give you sufficient notice (usually 30 days) before your prices go up.

Do suppliers always pass on price cuts to their variable rate customers?

Not necessarily. And this is one of the caveats of a variable energy tariff. A variable tariff is only as good or bad as the supplier offering it. Which is why you should always do your due diligence before choosing a new energy supplier for your household. 

Are energy prices likely to rise 2020?

At the time of writing, there are only a few weeks left in 2020, and the current energy price cap will remain in place until April of 2021. As such, it’s likely that energy prices are unlikely to rise significantly until next spring. However, the economic impact of the global pandemic and Brexit are expected to play a part in the rise of energy prices later in 2021.

But there’s no need to panic just yet. The government is expected to continue the Ofgem Energy Price cap until the end of 2021 at least. So even if energy costs do rise in the wake of Brexit and the fallout from the pandemic, there will at least be a ceiling over how much they can rise. As of October 2020, the cap currently stands at £1,042 per year for both fuels, the lowest it has been since January 2019. The cap is revisited every 6 months. 

Do variable energy tariffs have exit fees?

No. That’s another great thing about variable tariffs. Although most fixed rate energy deals have an exit fee of £25-£35 per fuel, some suppliers charge over £50 per fuel, making it potentially expensive to get out of a contract if you see a better deal elsewhere. 

When you have a variable energy plan, you can switch at any time without needing to worry about incurring charges.